dominant
gb/dˈɑmənənt/ us/dˈɑmənənt/
B1
English
~ 2700
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
most powerful or influential
Having the most power or control over others.
Usage pattern:
[something] is dominant in [area/field/situation]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'dominant' with 'dominating', but 'dominating' often has a negative tone meaning 'trying to control others too much'.
Synonyms
powerful (Emphasizes strength or ability rather than control over others.)
|
controlling (Implies actively directing or restricting others, sometimes with a negative tone.)
Antonyms
subordinate (Describes someone or something in a lower position or with less power.)
|
minor (Suggests lesser importance or influence.)
Collocations
dominant position
|dominant role
|dominant force
|dominant group
|dominant culture
Themes
power
|society
|business
|core_vocabulary
|politics
Examples
- The company remains the dominant player in the smartphone market.
- English is the dominant language in international business.
- She took a dominant role in organizing the project.
- The dominant culture often shapes social norms.
- The team’s dominant performance secured them the championship.
Learner examples
- The dog is the dominant animal in the pack.
- English is the dominant language in my country.
- He has a dominant role in the team.
- This store is the dominant one in the area.
- They have a dominant position in the market.
adjective
technical
B2
property
2
genetics: expressed over other traits
In genetics, describing a trait that shows when there is at least one gene for it, even if the other gene is different.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'dominant' in genetics with 'common' in general speech; not all common traits are genetically dominant.
Synonyms
prevalent (In genetics, less precise; means common but not necessarily genetically dominant.)
Antonyms
recessive (A genetic trait that is hidden when a dominant gene is present.)
Collocations
dominant gene
|dominant allele
|dominant trait
Themes
science
|biology
|education
Examples
- Brown eyes are usually a dominant trait over blue eyes.
- The dominant allele will mask the expression of the recessive one.
- In this plant species, tall height is dominant to short height.
Learner examples
- Brown eyes are a dominant trait.
- Tall is a dominant trait in this plant.
- Dark hair is usually dominant.
adjective
B1
property
3
most noticeable feature
The most important or easy-to-see part of something.
Usage pattern:
the dominant [feature/characteristic/factor]
Synonyms
main (Focuses on primary importance rather than visibility.)
|
prominent (Suggests standing out visually or noticeably.)
Antonyms
minor (Less important or noticeable.)
Collocations
dominant feature
|dominant characteristic
|dominant theme
Themes
description
|appearance
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Her smile was the dominant feature of her face.
- The dominant theme of the novel is freedom.
- Blue is the dominant color in this painting.
Learner examples
- The mountain is the dominant feature of the view.
- The main road is the dominant part of the map.
- Her eyes are the dominant feature of her face.
Grammar
Dictionary form
dominant
IPA
GB/dˈɑmənənt/
US/dˈɑmənənt/
Syllables & stress
dom - in - ant (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (dom)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: dominant
Word family
Core family
Related words
predominant
adjective
predominantly
adverb B2
Negative and opposite forms
non-dominant
adjective
Advanced or less common
domineering
adjective
dominion
noun B2
Expressions
dominant culture
1/dˈɑmənənt kˈʌlt͡ʃɚ/
fixed phrase
culture with most influence
The culture that has the most power and influence in a society.
Examples
- The dominant culture often decides what language is taught in schools.
- Immigrants may feel pressure to adopt the dominant culture.
dominant hand
1/dˈɑmənənt hˈænd/
fixed phrase
hand used most often
The hand you use most for writing and other activities.
Examples
- She injured her dominant hand and had to learn to write with the other one.
- Most people have their right hand as their dominant hand.
dominant position
1/dˈɑmənənt pəzˈɪʃən/
fixed phrase
most controlling position
A situation where someone has more power or advantage than others.
Examples
- The company holds a dominant position in the market.
- He used his dominant position to influence the decision.